BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER
The College of Engineering has a strong tradition and an enduring commitment to the success of its students, in and beyond the classroom. UA Engineering students gain practical experience through:
- the Cooperative Education Program,
- competitive student design teams, and
- student organizations.
We also offer support and development for students through programs such as Women In Engineering and IDEAs. This is all part of our comprehensive focus to help ensure that at commencement, our students will be well prepared to meet the demands of employers.
As a engineering student, you would have the option of participate in Society of Automotive Engineers-sponsored competitions.
High School Summer Research Academy
For the 5th year, the UA College of Engineering will offer the High School Summer Research Academy. During this 8 week program, rising High School Junior and Senior Students will be partnered with UA College of Engineering professors to work on collegiate level research projects. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the field of Engineering, gain hands-on research experience, attend weekly professional development workshops, and earn a paycheck for their work. Admission to the program is competitive.
Student Support and Development
The University of Akron is committed to encouraging all students with intellectual capability and an interest in mathematics and science to pursue their dreams, attend college, and productively contribute to an increasingly technological society. We offer programs such as
- Women in Engineering
- Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academics (IDEAs)
- Engineering Tutoring Program
to help all students reach their goals.
Cooperative Education
There is merit in the saying “experience is the best teacher.” Through our Cooperative Education Program, we incorporate practical work experience into the curriculum, enabling enables the student to integrate classroom instruction with practical and valuable on-the-job work experience. At the end of approximately five years, the co-op student is usually ahead of the traditional student in that he/she has a degree and also has accumulated 12 or more months of work experience in the field.
Student Design Teams
UA's highly regarded student design teams allow senior-level students to apply classroom theory to a major design project. Past projects have ranged from aircraft to supermileage cars to bridge design, and very often the teams compete against teams from other colleges. Our design teams consistently rank highly in national and international competitions.
Student Design Team and Organization Leadership
If you would like to join one of these groups or would like additional information, please contact the appropriate student leaders listed in the PDF below.
You have a number of engineering-focused student organizations to choose from, plus 200 more campus-wide.
Professional Societies
![]() American Institute of Chemical Engineers |
![]() American Society of Civil Engineers |
![]() ASME |
![]() Biomedical Engineers Society |
![]() IEEE |
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Multidisciplinary Organizations
![]() Engineers Without Borders |
![]() National Society of Black Engineers |
![]() Society of Automotive Engineers |
![]() Society of Women Engineers |
Engineering Students - Sign up for Alternative Winter Break